Trifter

THE English Lake District has long been a Mecca for outdoor people. However these days, Lakeland is not just about magnificent scenery and bracing fresh air. The area has something to offer every visitor from live music to food festivals.

Once this wilderness area was noted for its walking and climbing opportunities. Occasionally cyclists and horse riders would be spotted. Now Cumbia has launched its Year of Adventure: an adrenaline fuelled calendar of outdoor events, new activities and exciting challenges.

There are still the walking, climbing and cycling facilities, but modern day adventures can splash out and take part in the Great North Swim, a mile long course of open water swimming on Lack Windermere.

Sailing on these picturesque lakes set in mountainous scenery is becoming very popular. Some people prefer to be part of the crew on a large yacht whiles others crave the excitement and solitude of singly handily sailing their own small vessel.

The Coniston Water Festival is a fun weekend, which covers every aspect of water enjoyment from stone skimming to sailing.

There are visitors who want to see the peaks, cliffs and ridges from above and paragliding has become increasingly widespread in recent times. The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association has a number of schools in the area, where aspirants can book a tandem flight or even sign up for a full training course.

Go Ape has two locations, at Grizedale and Whinlatter, where visitors can have a swinging time in the woods. There are ropes, aerial runways, nets, bridges and swings offering laughter and adventure at heights of up to 60 feet above the forest floor.

Honister Slate Mine has opened a new attraction, England’s first via ferrata. Via ferrats were developed by the military to move troops and equipment around the Alps during the First World War. They use fixed metal cables, footholds, Ladders and bridges to enable people to cross vertiginous ground in safety.

The lake District has a number of hotels with excellent reputations, including some which have Michelin Stars. Most of the menus include locally produced food.

Visitors can enjoy thirst-quenching cups of tea with homemade sandwiches and cakes at many of the cafes that are in most Lakeland villages.

There plenty of organic with farm shops where travellers can purchase naturally produced foods

There are a number of food festivals such as the Lakes Chillifest at Levens Hall, near Kendal, the Carlisle Annual Fair and Apple Day at Penrith.

A beer festival is alway a good place to be on a hot day. There are the Hawkshead Brewery and Lakeland Beer Festivals, both at Kendal, the CAMRA Beer Festival at Ulverston and the Silloth Music and Beer Festival.

The Lakeland Poets first brought culture to the area during the early 19th Century. Now there are major live music festivals, street art and entertainment events, theatre productions, film festivals, comedy clubs and much more.

Among the events are Brampton Live, Maryport Blues Festival, Kendal Calling, Solfest and the Lake District Summer Music Festival.

Lakes Alive brings the hills and street of the area to life with international outdoor performances.

Drop is a special giant sculpture that can be seen from a large number of viewpoints

One must is the Sculpture Trail that takes the visitor through Grizedale Forest the is the Art on the River Eden Project.

Lakeland has a number of art galleries, many with local works on sale.

Visitors can see the Children’s Roman Army at Birdoswald Fort or take the Steam and Roman Train Journey on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

Outdoor activity, food, drink and culture in a small area: the Lake District has something for everyone.